Megawati calls on media to help calm
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri asked the national media on Friday to create a favorable political climate through constructive reporting "to help bring the country out of the prolonged crisis".
"Being professional is not enough, the press should participate in efforts to politically educate the public.
"I need to remind the press that you are also an integral part of the freedom movement and the reform movement," Megawati said while addressing the opening ceremony of National Press Day and the 55th anniversary of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) at the Surakarta Press Monument.
She said that in such circumstances reports published in the press could worsen the situation if they only upheld basic principles of objectivity.
The media should be able to distinguish information which should be clearly conveyed to the public, and those which should not, she added.
Although House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung attended the celebration, Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Amien Rais canceled his plan to attend the event.
Several Cabinet ministers were also present, including Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin, Minister of Resettlement and Infrastructure Erna Witoelar, and State Minister for Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Zarkasih Nur.
PWI's founding members Rosihan Anwar and Herawati Diah were also present at the celebration along with several owners of the country's press companies, including Kompas daily's Jacob Oetama and Jawa Pos Group's Dahlan Iskan.
The event was also highlighted by student protests from the Union of Muslim Student Action (KAMMI) and Surakarta's Forum of Student Executive Board (BEM), held outside the press monument grounds.
Megawati underlined the urgent need to classify the priorities for solving all national problems.
Unfortunately, she added, political elites could not reach a consensus on what the priorities should be.
"The communication among political elites can not run in a smooth way. Therefore, the media should help expedite the process," she said.
Meanwhile, PWI chairman Tarman Azzam said in his address that PWI would apply itself to defending the country's unity.
In its 55th anniversary PWI also honored Central Java Governor Maj. Gen. (ret) Mardiyanto with the Pena Emas award for his cooperation with journalists.
Separately, in the restive province of Aceh, Aceh Deputy Governor Azwar Abubakar called on the media to remain neutral, especially while the conflicts, which have claimed hundreds of lives, continue.
"On this press day, we call on journalists covering the Aceh situation to also become mediators between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels ... we need fair and objective news," Azwar said as quoted by Antara on Friday.
"We are tired of blood and violence and the press should encourage a peaceful atmosphere in Aceh," he said. (44/har/edt)